Personal Background
Jerry Uelsmann was born in Detroit, MI on June 11th, 1934. He went to public school and became interested in photography in high school. In 1953, he enrolled in the Rochester Institute of Technology. He continued his photography and then in 1957 graduated. He went to graduate school in Indiana to study art history in 1958. After graduating in 1960, he went to the University of Florida to teach photography. In 1962, He helped found the Society for Photographic Education. He was 28 years old.
Style
Most of Uelsmann’s compositions are titled ‘Untitled’. His photos are composed from multiple negatives blended together to make one black and white photo. Before he composes these photos together, he takes the pictures beforehand and decides which photo should go with who. He has a style called surrealism.
Philosophy
Uelsmann had studied Art history at the Rochester Institute of Technology, so that had also prompted him to continue photography. All though Uelsmann never had a specific philosphy towards his photos, he had developed an intent for his photos. Uelsmann wanted his work to connect with viewers. He wanted people to depict his work into anything they wanted. He believed that if he left his photos untitled, viewers could think anything of it and make up their own stories for his work.
Influences
Uelsmann had inspired me to looked at my photos from a different perspective. He made me realize each photo can be composed into something new. His photos made me understand how much a photo could tell a story. Each of his photos tell an individual story depending on the photo. He influenced me to get into this type of photography, as it is my favorite. He inspired me to give even the smallest things in a photo a story.
oh Although you can see clear differences, these photos can share the same vibe. This vibe is like a mysterious and dark feeling. They are similar with the models in the corner of the room, like they are hiding from something. Uelsmann’s photo has more of a drawing type of effect on the windows and has more in depth shadows. My photo has not as in depth shadows and does not share the same drawing effect.
These pictures are similar because they share almost the same dark colors and color scheme theme. In both of the photos, the viewer can easily focus on just the hands and what the hands are telling the viewer. In Uelsmann’s photo, he has a different image and the clouds are more noticeable. In my photo, the clouds aren’t as visible and has a different image.
Regarding both photos, there are clear differences. In Uelsmann’s photo, there are in depth shadows and an eerie vibe going on. In my photo, it is more vibrant than Uelsmann’s and doesn’t share that dark feel. I notice Uelsmann’s photo has more shadows and a different feeling than my picture. My picture lacks the shadow and the dark vibe Uelsmann’s photo has.
Artist Statement
In these photos, I tried replicating Uelsmann's eerie vibe and in depth shadows in his photos. These photos each share a different story and I tried replicating that. In each photo, there is a unique style to go with the photos. In the first photo, I tried to use the same idea Uelsmann used and wanted the girl as a focal point of the whole photo. This image can be interpreted however the viewer wants. The second photo, I had the same idea with the hands as the focal point but then the viewer's eyes looks at the photo inside of the hands. These could be interpreted however but the way I look at it is the hands memory. The third photo is the chair. I wanted a similar eerie vibe to go with this photo. The viewer could look at this photo and automatically see the focal point of the photo, the chair. The apple sitting on the chair can be looked at at any way. The all black background can make it easier for the viewer to see the main focus of the photo, the chair and its story.
Sources
Images
- https://www.artic.edu/artworks/36842/eye-chair (Eye Chair)
- https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/person/jerry-uelsmann/ (Untitled)
- https://ppmag.com/profiles/his-story-is-untitled (Untitled)
Information
- https://ppmag.com/profiles/his-story-is-untitled
- https://biography.yourdictionary.com/jerry-uelsmann
- https://www.all-about-photo.com/photographers/photographer/105/jerry-uelsmann
- https://www.artic.edu/artworks/36842/eye-chair (Eye Chair)
- https://www.annenbergphotospace.org/person/jerry-uelsmann/ (Untitled)
- https://ppmag.com/profiles/his-story-is-untitled (Untitled)
Information
- https://ppmag.com/profiles/his-story-is-untitled
- https://biography.yourdictionary.com/jerry-uelsmann
- https://www.all-about-photo.com/photographers/photographer/105/jerry-uelsmann